A Swiss national, 63, was arrested at his house in Mueang Udon Thani District, Udon Thani, yesterday, October 3rd, after reportedly beating an alleged Thai thief to death.
Police officials from the Nakha Police Station arrived at the scene after being alerted of the incident just after midnight Sunday morning. Victim Sathien Chantarakhantri, 53, was found dead in the house’s kitchen with several wounds and bruises on his face. His hands and feet were tied up with a rope. The body was taken to the Udon Thani Hospital for an autopsy.
PHOTO: Sanook, a reenactment of the incident taken yesterday afternoon
Upon arrival, house owner Rudolf, 63, last name withheld by Udon Thani police, who was present at the scene with his wife, a Thai national, allegedly confessed to killing the man, claiming that he only punched and subdued the man and did not intend to kill him. Rudolf states his actions were all taken in self-defense and that of his family.
According to his statement, he was reportedly drinking coffee in his kitchen when Sathien climbed over the house fence carrying a firearm. The alleged thief then approached him, pointed the gun at his head, and threatened Rudolf for money.
Rudolf refused to comply and reportedly attempted to disarm Sathien of the weapon. While struggling, a single gunshot was fired but missed before Rudolf managed to throw the firearm away and punched and kicked the alleged intruder, subduing him. Rudolf decided to tie up Sathien after the struggle, stating that he was afraid that Sathien would attack him again.
The family immediately self-reported the incident to the village chief and the local police. However, Sathien was already dead when the village headsman arrived for an inspection.
PHOTO: Sanook
Rudolf’s wife, whose name was also withheld by police, told Udon Thani officials that the victim was having romantic feelings for her and had been repeatedly attempting to woo her but she turned him down. She felt that the rejection had led the victim to attempt to rob her husband.
The examination of the scene also led to the discovery of the firearm nearby. Initially, the Swiss national was taken to the Udon Thani police station and was charged for assaulting others to death. He agreed to cooperate in a re-enactment of the incident yesterday afternoon but continues to stress his reaction was self-defense.
The incident has drawn widespread discussion on social media, with many diverse points of view over the foreign national being charged. TPN media will provide further updates to his story as they become available.
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